Receptacle for storing articles in combination with unloading fixture



L. G. SIMJIAN Jan. 22, 1963 3,074,663

RECEPTACLE FOR STORING ARTICLES IN COMBINATION WITH UNLOADING FIXTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 9, 1961 INV EV TOR.

LUTHER G. SIMJIAN AGENT.

Jan. 22, 1963 L. e. SIMJIAN 3,074,563

RECEPTACLE FOR STORING ARTICLES IN COMBINATION WITH UNLOADING FIXTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 19. 1961 INVENTOR- LUTHER G. SIMJIAN AGE NT.

Jan. 22, 1963 L. G. SIMJIAN 3,07

RECEPTACLE FOR STORING ARTICLES IN COMBINATION WITH UNLOADING .FIXTURE Filed April 19, 1961 4 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Flcafs min. I; 1 n n [11 u u I I II II IIIIIIII/ I III I III III/I I II III II INVENTOR.

LUTHER G. SIMJIAN AGENT United States Patent Office 3,074,663 Patented Jan. 22, 1963 3,074,663 RECEITACLE FGR S'IGRING ARTICLES IN COM- BINATIGN WITH UNLOADING FIXTURE Luther G. Sirniian, Greenwich, (30:111., assignor to Universal Match Corporation, Ferguson, Mo, a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 19, 1961, Ser. No. 104,163 Claims. (Cl. 242--67.3)

This invention relates to receptacles and has particular reference to receptacles for depository apparatus as described for instance in my copending application for US. Letters Patent, Serial No. 835,765, filed August 24, 1959, now US. Pat. No. 2,981,492, issued April 25, 1961, entitled Receptacle for Depository Apparatus.

In the patent referenced, there has been described a receptacle adapted to receive for storage therein deposits in the form of checks, paper currency and the like. In normal use, the receptacle is disposed within a depository apparatus to receive such deposits and when it is filled or at some other convenient time, the receptacle is removed from the apparatus in order to discharge the deposits received and stored therein.

It will be apparent that proper safeguards must be em ployed so that the receptacle is not emptied during transit or by unauthorized personnel. To this end, a receptacle as disclosed hereinafter has been constructed which permits normal unloading of deposits only when the receptacle is engaged by a fixture which is designed specifically for coaction with certain mechanisms of the receptacle structure. While the receptacle is removed from the fixture, the receptacle is usable for accepting deposits, but normal unloading thereof can-not be ac- :complished.

One of the objects of this invention therefore is the provision of a new and improved receptacle for depository apparatus which receptacle avoids one or more of the limitations and disadvantages of prior art devices.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a receptacle adapted to receive deposits of checks and paper currency, which deposits cannot readily be removed while the receptacle is in transit.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a portable receptacle for depository apparatus which utilizes a specially designed fixture for accomplishing unloading of deposits received therein.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a receptacle for depository apparatus operating in conjunction with mechanisms which form a part of an unloading fixture and whereby coupling is utilized between the mechanisms of the unloading fixture and certain parts of the receptacle structure in order to accomplish removal of deposits from the receptacle.

Further and still other objects of this invention will be apparent by reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE "1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the receptacle and fixture when the receptacle is positioned for unloading deposits therefrom;

FIGURE 2 is an end view of the receptacle and fixture when viewed along lines 22 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the unloading fixture;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of portions of the receptacle and fixture and showing in an enlarged fashion the mechanisms for enabling unloading of the receptacle when the receptacle is engaged by the fixture;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view, partly in section, of certain portions of the receptacle with receptacle cover removed;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of certain portions of the receptacle along lines 66 in FIGURE 5, and

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view showing an alternative embodiment of the mechanisms depicted in FIGURE 4.

Referring now to the figures and FIGURES l, 2 and 3 in particular, there is shown a receptacle ll'disposed on an unloading fixture 12. The instant receptacle is substantially identical with the receptacle disclosed and described in my copending application for Letters Patent identified heretofore. The receptacle includes a rectangular enclosure which encloses therein a mechanism for accepting, storing and releasing bank type deposits which take the form of paper currency, checks, and documents of a similar nature. This mechanism comprises in part, a storage reel 13 and a pair of supply reels, numerals 14 and 15. A tape 16 is adapted to be reversibly driven between reel 13 and reel 14, being guided about rollers 20 and 21. In a similar manner, tape 17 is transferred between reels 15 and 13, being guided along its path about rollers 18, 19 and 22.. The tapes arrive in superposed manner on storage reel 13. While accepting deposits for storage, articles are received by the receptacle through aperture 23, the articles becoming retained between tapes 16 and 17 and wound about the circumference of reel 13. During unloading, reels 13, 14 and 15 are driven in reversed direction and deposits are freed from their position between the tapes, being released through aperture 23. As shown in FIGURE 1, an article or deposit, such as a check or paper document 25, is in the state of being freed from retention between the tapes. This principle of operation and arrangement is described quite clearly in my copending application for Letters Patent. Knob 35 accessible from the exterior of the enclosure serves for manually tightening the tapes, accepting deposits, and for accomplishing unloading of deposits as will be described below.

In order to unload the receptacle, there has been provided a specially designed fixture 12, its plan view being depicted in FIGURE 3. This fixture includes a movable plate 26 to which are attached three mitered L-shaped angles 27, 28 and 29. Plate 26 with angles 27, 28 and 29 forming a part thereof, is mounted for pivotal motion by means of a piano hinge 30. Mounted from the underside of plate 26, there is a permanent magnet 31, FIGURE 4, which is fastened to plate 26 by means of insert plate 32 and screw 33. Plate 26 is disposed normally in the horizontal position as shown by the dashed lines in FIGURE 1. When unloading of the receptacle is to be accomplished the portable receptacle, usually remote from the fixture, is placed on plate 26 and secured thereto by means of a set of clasps and engaging hooks 34. The plate and receptacle secured thereto are then rotated by ninety degrees about the pivotal axis of hinge 30 so that the receptacle comes to rest in the position depicted in FIGURE 1, plate 26 being disposed vertically.

When the receptacle 11 is in the unloading position, as shown in FIGURE 1, aperture 23 of the receptacle is located adjacent to platform 41 and upon turning drive means 35, which may take the form of a knob or crank, in the proper direction, deposits 25 are released from the receptacle and dropped onto the platform as indicated by the previously released deposits 42 resting on platform 41.

When the receptacle is positioned for unloading, one side of the receptacle is supponted on platform 43 of the fixture, which platform is slightly raised with respect to the surrounding borders 44. Depression 45 in the platform serves to provide a recess for one of the clasps 34 which secures the receptacle to plate 26 and fixture respectively, see FIGURE 1.

Two resiliently mounted pins 47 and 48 protruding from the underside of the platform engage via suitable apertures in the receptacle the movably mounted shaft of roller 19, thereby pres-sing this roller into contact with opposing roller 21 to assure that the deposits are released in proper manner through aperture 23.

One of the important aspects of this invention concerns the provision that in the absence of the receptacle being disposed on the fixture provided, knob 35 cannot normally be turned in a direction which would accomplish unloading of deposits. To this end, magnet 31 attached to the fixture is associated with the tape drive mechanism of the rollers. Since this tape transfer mechanism has been described in detail in the application referenced hereinbefore, only the major portions are identified hereinafter.

Knob 35 drives via a slip clutch 51, FIGURES and 6, shaft 52. Shaft 52 carries a bevel gear 53 which mates with a gear 54 and gear 5 4 in turn is coupled as input to a differential means 55. One output from differential -55 drives via gear 56 and gear 57 tape supply reel 15 While the other output of the difierential drives via gear 58 tape supply reel 14. This mechanism using a differential means between the rollers in order to equalize tension on the tapes has been described in my copending application, and the use of the difierential is similar to that in an automobile where the differential has a single input (drive shaft) and two outputs (rear wheels).

Attached to gear 54 there is a shaft 60 which has fastened thereto a toothed wheel 61. This wheel is engaged by pivot-ally mounted pawl 62, the latter being coupled to a rod 63. The other end of the rod is held in a bracket 64, see also FIGURE 4, which bracket is mounted for pivotal motion about the center of a pin 65. A helical tension spring 66, serving as a bias-ing means, is mounted between bracket 64 and a fixed pin 67 in order to bias rod 63 in such a direction that pawl 62 engages the toothed wheel 61. The direction of the teeth in wheel 61 is such that drive means 35, or motorized drive means, not shown, but coupled to storage reel 13 when the receptacle is installed on the depository machine as disclosed in the copending application, are free to drive the receptacle tape mechanism for accomplishing deposit acceptance and storage. Unloading of the receptacle, however, that is rotating knob 35 in the opposite direction, is precluded while pawl 62 engages toothed wheel 61. Pawl 62 and wheel 61 comprise therefore a ratchet mechanism.

When the receptacle is positioned on the fixture, permanent magnet 31 of the fixture attracts bracket 64 which is fabricated from magnetic material, thereby retracting rod 63 and pawl 62. This action frees wheel 61 and the gear mechanism for rotation in the reverse direction, thereby permit-ting unloading of the deposits when rotating knob '35. Upon removal of the receptacle from the fixture however, the rotation of knob 35 is normally restricted to the direction which causes tape motion for loading of the receptacle.

Instead of effecting coupling by magnetic flux between a part of the fixture and the portable receptacle, other methods and means ,of coupling maybe used as for instance mechanical coupling. This alternative arrangement is shown in FIGURE 7 wherein a pin 80 protrudes upwardly from the fixture plate and reaches into the receptacle enclosure via aperture 82. The pin then couples to extension 83 of bracket 64,'thus retracting bar 63 in the same manner as described hereinabove.

It will be apparent that other coupling means, for instance electrical interconnection may be employed Without deviating from the principle described heretofore.

Still further, coded key means, for instance a tumbler key and lock, may be used for preventing unloading of the receptacle unless it is placed on the fixture. This particular embodiment can be achieved by arranging coasting engagement between portions of the fixture and moving parts of the receptacle tape transport mechanism.

In every instance however, the salient feature resides in the provision of means which enable the receptacle to be ready for accepting deposits While it is remote from the fixture, but preclude normal removal of accepted deposits unless the receptacle is in engagement with the fixture.

It will readily be understood by those skilled in the art that this arrangement of receptacle and fixture provides important safeguards and constitutes an important facet in banking type operations.

While there have been described and illustrated certain specific embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other modifications and changes may be made therein without deviating from the principle and intent of the instant invention which shall be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A receptacle for storing articles in combination with a fixture for receiving said receptacle to accomplish unloading of said articles from said receptacle, said receptacle comprising: an enclosure; said enclosure enclosing therein means for accepting and storing articles; a ratchet mechanism which includes a toothed wheel and a pawl coupled to said means; an aperture in a Wall of said enclosure through which articles disposed in said enclosure are moved therefrom during unloading; drive means accessible from the exterior of said enclosure and coupled to said means for accepting and storing articles and to said ratchet mechanism whereby operation of said drive means, when the latter are rendered operative, causes articles stored in said enclosure to be moved therefrom through said aperture; magnetic means disposed on said fixture which are adapted to move said pawl from said wheel when said receptacle is positioned on said fixture, whereby to render said drive means operable to effect release of articles stored in said enclosure and the drive means being rendered inoperable when said pawl is engaged with said toothed wheel.

2. A receptacle for storing articles in combination with a fixture for receiving said receptacle to accomplish unloading of said articles from said receptacle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means comprise a permanent magnet adapted to attract said pawl.

3. A receptacle for storing articles in combination with a fixture for receiving said receptacle to accomplish unloading of said articles from said receptacle, said receptacle comprising: an enclosure; tape transport means disposed in said enclosure which include a storage reel and a pair of spaced supply reels; a pair of flexible tapes; each tape adapted to be reversibly transferred between one of said supply reels and said storage reel whereby the tapes converge in superposed relationship with respect to one another on said storage reel; drive means including differential means coupled to said reels for driving said reels from a source of motive power disposed external of said enclosure and said diiferential means effecting equalization of the tension of said tapes; aperture means in a wall of said enclosure through which articles are received for storage within said enclosure and moved therefrom in response to operation of said drive means; locking means coupled to said drive means to render said drive means inoperable for effecting movement of articles from said enclosure, and means disposed on said fixture which coact with said locking means of the receptacle when the receptacle is engaged by said fixture whereby said drive means is freed to enable unloading of articles from said receptacle in response to operation of said drive means.

4. A receptacle for storing articles in combination with a fixture for receiving said receptacle to accomplish unloading of said articles from said receptacle, said receptacle comprising: a portable enclosure; tape transport means disposed in said enclosure which include a storage reel and a pair of spaced supply reels; a pair of flexible tapes; each tape adapted to be reversibly transferred between one of said supply reels and said storage reel whereby the tapes converge in superposed relationship with respect to one another on said storage reel; drive means including difierential means coupled to said reels for driving said reels from a source of motive power disposed external of said enclosure and said differential means effecting equalization of the tension of said tapes; aperture means in a wall of said enclosure through which articles are received for storage within said enclosure and moved therefrom in response to operation of said drive means; ratchet means coupled to said drive means to render said drive means inoperable for effecting movement of articles from said enclosure; said fixture including a panel for engaging said receptacle enclosure, and means afiixed to said panel which couple to said ratchet means of the receptacle when the receptacle is engaged by said fixture whereby said drive means is freed from coupling with said ratchet means to enable movement of articles from said receptacle in response to operation of said drive means.

5. A receptacle for storing articles in combination with a fixture for receiving said receptacle to accomplish unloading of said articles from said receptacle, said receptacle comprising: an enclosure; said enclosure enclosing therein means for accepting and storing articles; an

aperture in a wall of said enclosure through which articles disposed in said enclosure are moved therefrom during unloading; drive means accessible from the exterior of said enclosure and coupled to said means for accepting and storing articles whereby operation of said drive means causes articles stored in said enclosure to be moved therefrom through said aperture; locking means engaging said means for accepting articles to normally preclude operation thereof for causing movement of articles from said receptacle, and said fixture provided with means which are adapted to coact with said locking means when said receptacle is disposed on said fixture to render said drive means operable for causing outward movement of articles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,760,901 Goepel June 3, '1930 1,917,517 Goepel July 11, 1933 2,687,135 Heim Aug. 24, 1954 2,981,492 Simjian Apr. 25, 1961 2,987,265 Quinones June 6, 1961 3,026,023 Hirschfeld Mar. 20. 1962 

1. A RECEPTACLE FOR STORING ARTICLES IN COMBINATION WITH A FIXTURE FOR RECEIVING SAID RECEPTACLE TO ACCOMPLISH UNLOADING OF SAID ARTICLES FROM SAID RECEPTACLE, SAID RECEPTACLE COMPRISING: AN ENCLOSURE; SAID ENCLOSURE ENCLOSING THEREIN MEANS FOR ACCEPTING AND STORING ARTICLES; A RATCHET MECHANISM WHICH INCLUDES A TOOTHED WHEEL AND A PAWL COUPLED TO SAID MEANS; AN APERTURE IN A WALL OF SAID ENCLOSURE THROUGH WHICH ARTICLES DISPOSED IN SAID ENCLOSURE ARE MOVED THEREFROM DURING UNLOADING; DRIVE MEANS ACCESSIBLE FROM THE EXTERIOR OF SAID ENCLOSURE AND COUPLED TO SAID MEANS FOR ACCEPTING AND STORING ARTICLES AND TO SAID RATCHET MECHANISM WHEREBY OPERATION OF SAID DRIVE MEANS, WHEN THE LATTER ARE RENDERED OPERATIVE, CAUSES ARTICLES STORED IN SAID ENCLOSURE TO BE MOVED THEREFROM THROUGH SAID APERTURE; MAGNETIC MEANS DISPOSED ON SAID FIXTURE WHICH ARE ADAPTED TO MOVE SAID PAWL FROM SAID WHEEL WHEN SAID RECEPTACLE IS POSITIONED ON SAID FIXTURE, WHEREBY TO RENDER SAID DRIVE MEANS OPERABLE TO EFFECT RELEASE OF ARTICLES STORED IN SAID ENCLOSURE AND THE DRIVE MEANS BEING RENDERED INOPERABLE WHEN SAID PAWL IS ENGAGED WITH SAID TOOTHED WHEEL. 